Guard News - The National Guard

Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 Begins in Heart of Mongolian Steppe
May 8, 2024 — CHOIBALSAN, Mongolia - Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024, a multinational civil and military training exercise, commenced with an opening ceremony and expert academic discussion in the Dornod Province capital... MORE

Brig. Gen. B. Uuganbayar, left, deputy director of the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency, presents a commemorative anniversary plaque to Australian Maj. Gen. Scott Winter, deputy commanding general - strategy and plans for the U.S. Army Pacific, during the Gobi Wolf 2024 opening ceremony at the Governor’s Palace in Choibalsan, Mongolia, May 7, 2024. Gobi Wolf is an annual joint exercise coordinated by the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Army Pacific that focuses on interagency coordination within Mongolia, as well as foreign humanitarian assistance during a large-scale natural disaster.

Hokanson: Nation’s Investment in National Guard Comes at Pivotal Moment
May 2, 2024 — WASHINGTON – The National Guard is a dynamic operational force integral to the National Defense Strategy, the Guard’s most senior officer told lawmakers April 30, emphasizing that sustained mission... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, talks with Soldiers of the Alabama National Guard's 115th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort McClellan, Alabama, April 20, 2024.

National Guard Leaders Visit Troops Deployed in Middle East
March 27, 2024 — KUWAIT - The National Guard’s most senior officer and enlisted leader visited Guardsmen deployed across the Middle East in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield March... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, right, chief, National Guard Bureau, and SEA Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the CNGB, visit National Guardsmen deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility March 15, 2024.

Air National Guard Unit Trains for any Situation
February 27, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – When U.S. Army Special Forces enter dangerous situations, they often aren’t alone.“Our job as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) or Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) is to... MORE

A member of the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron holds their position with a simunition modified M4 during training at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Wash., Feb. 6, 2024.

Command Sergeants Major Council Tackles Citizen-Soldier Issues
January 30, 2024 — ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Senior enlisted leaders from across the 54 states and territories and the District of Columbia converged this week for the Command Sergeants Major Advisory Council with Command... MORE

Senior enlisted leaders from across the 54 states and territories and the District of Columbia met for the Command Sergeants Major Advisory Council in St. Augustine, Fla., Jan. 17-18, 2024. The senior enlisted leaders addressed core issues affecting Soldiers, focused on streamlining systems, updated policies, and worked to institute necessary reforms for enlisted personnel.

Opposing Forces a Key Element During Northern Strike 24-1
January 29, 2024 — CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. – Snowflakes floated to the ground, bringing a hushed quiet to the darkened woods. Aside from the falling snow settling to the ground, the only sound was the muffled swishing of... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Todd Teuling, noncommissioned officer in charge of opposing forces during exercise Northern Strike 24-1, aims an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon skyward in response to a surveillance drone while defending an area against Soldiers with the 5th Special Forces Group during Northern Strike 24-1 at Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center, Michigan, Jan. 21, 2024. Northern Strike 24-1 is the winter warfare component of the annual National Guard Bureau-sponsored Northern Strike exercise series.

Northern Strike 24-1 Tests Winter Warfare Skills
January 26, 2024 — CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. – A frigid winter wind fluttered past the snow-covered landscape as Sgt. Shane Vanderhoek, an indirect fire infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion,... MORE

Spc. Emilio Bailey, an indirect fire infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, signals to others in his unit while sighting in an 81 mm mortar during exercise Northern Strike 24-1 at Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center, Michigan, Jan. 21, 2024. Northern Strike 24-1 is the winter warfare component of the annual National Guard Bureau-sponsored Northern Strike exercise series.

Anniversary of ‘Sandy River Rescue Mission’ Befits National Guard Birthday
December 13, 2023 — WASHINGTON - On the National Guard’s 387th birthday, another milestone anniversary represents the impact the Guard has in more than 2,600 communities across the country.Twenty years ago, on the... MORE

Members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1042nd Medical Company, Lt. Col Dan Hokanson, pilot in charge, crew chiefs Staff Sgt. Mark Braeme and Sgt. Rob Armstrong, and Capt. Bryan Houston, pilot, pose in front of a Black Hawk helicopter Dec. 15, 2003. The crew, including Staff Sgt. Travis Powell, flight medic, were credited with saving the lives of two kayakers on Oregon’s Sandy River following an over-water air rescue during a winter storm and rising flood waters.

National Guard Members Showcase Innovation
December 8, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The 2023 National Guard Bureau Innovation Challenge showcased the inventive prowess of Guard members nationwide Dec. 7 at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army National Guard Readiness... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the CNGB, center left and center right, respectively, with competitors of the 2023 National Guard Bureau Innovation Challenge at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington Hall Station, Virginia, Dec. 7, 2023. Arizona Army National Guard members took home top honors for their concept of exportable maneuver live-fire capabilities that could help units achieve training requirements.

National Guard’s Heritage Honored at Storied Army Base
November 7, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. – In a hallowed corner of Patton Hall at Northern Virginia’s Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, a journey through the annals of American military history awaits. An officer’s saber from... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, left, chief of the National Guard Bureau, chats with Air Force Maj. Gen. John P. Hronek, the adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, during the opening ceremony at The 1636 Room at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Patton Hall in Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 1, 2023. Named in recognition of the first organized militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 – the predecessor of today’s National Guard – the exhibit space runs the gamut of strategically placed artifacts, framed flags, panel displays, photographs, visual arts and replicated items.

National Guard Unveils Senior Enlisted Advisor Positional Colors
November 2, 2023 — JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. – Almost 150 people from all service components, including National Guard leaders from all 50 states and four territories, gathered in Patton Hall to witness a... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, presents the positional colors to Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Nov. 1, 2023. This marks the first time a senior enlisted advisor to the National Guard chief is recognized with such colors, a milestone in a tradition that dates to 1636.

In Finland, Hokanson Sees a Country’s Cold Will to Defend Itself
October 19, 2023 — HELSINKI – The National Guard’s top officer recently visited Finland as part of a larger Northern European itinerary to strengthen the Guard’s security cooperation ties in the region.The Guard has... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, and Lt. Gen. Vesa Virtanen, chief of Defense Command, Finnish Defense Forces, meet with Col. Mika Rytkonen, commander of Finland’s South-Eastern Border Guard District, near Vaalimaa, Finland, Oct. 13, 2023. Hokanson visited Finland to enhance bilateral ties between the National Guard and Finland.

Resources to Help National Guardsmen in a Government Shutdown
September 29, 2023 — WASHINGTON - During government shutdowns, military service members and civilians who are furloughed may miss a paycheck, although pay is typically provided retroactively. So, it's a good idea to have... MORE

The National Guard Bureau has formed two task forces in a continued effort to fight sexual assault and suicide within the ranks.

National Guard Committed to Suicide Prevention Year-round
September 29, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard’s commitment to fighting suicide remains steadfast, according to Guard officials, and goes beyond September, which the Department of Defense recognizes as National... MORE

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks recognizes the Guam National Guard's suicide prevention efforts at the Department of Defense's annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Recognition Ceremony in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes, Sept. 6, 2023.

Senate Recognizes 30-year State Partnership Program
September 28, 2023 — WASHINGTON - After a summer marked by anniversary celebrations, the U.S. Senate formally recognized 30 years of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program Sept. 27. In a... MORE

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Lindsey Graham, Senate National Guard Caucus co-chairs, present Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, with a formal copy of Senate Resolution 308 to recognize the historic significance of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., Sept. 27, 2023. The State Partnership Program was established in 1993 to assist countries emerging from behind the Iron Curtain. It now includes 88 partnerships with 100 nations and the National Guard of every state, territory and the District of Columbia.

Top Enlisted Advisors Emphasize Quality of Life Issues
September 6, 2023 — CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Over 500 American Legion members representing thousands of years of military service listened to the highest-ranking senior enlisted leaders discuss the importance of enhancing... MORE

Left to right, Master Chief Petty Officer Jason M. Vanderhaden, the master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, sergeant major of the Marine Corps; Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass; U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Michael Perry, senior enlisted advisor to the assistant chief of staff, G9; Command Master Chief Matt R. Harris, senior enlisted advisor to the U.S. Navy vice chief of naval operations; Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief of the National Guard Bureau; discuss quality of life matters affecting readiness at the American Legion convention Aug. 26, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C.

In South Korea, Hokanson Assesses Potential National Guard Support
June 30, 2023 — SEOUL, South Korea – Assessing how the National Guard might support U.S. and Republic of Korea forces at a time of deepening defense and security ties between the two nations was top of mind for Army... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, right, visits the Republic of South Korea to assess potential National Guard contributions at a time of deepening U.S. and ROK defense and security ties May 16, 2023. This image was acquired using a cellular device.

Equality Without Exception: National Guard Celebrates Pride Month
June 23, 2023 — JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of military values and precisely what they defend. That is according to California Rep. Mark Takano, who spoke during a Joint... MORE

Rep. Mark Takano, a representative of California’s 39th Congressional District, speaks to Airmen about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, June 20, 2023. The panel discussion was part of a series of events hosted by the Air National Guard Readiness Center’s Diversity and Inclusion Office, recognizing June as Pride Month, which honors LGBTQ+ service members and personnel. This year’s theme was Equality Without Exception.

National Guard’s Joint Staff Emphasizes Tactical Wellness
May 25, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va – Nearly 100 Soldiers, Airmen and family members of the National Guard Bureau’s joint staff participated in a Joint Staff Tactical Wellness event May 18 at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau, provides opening remarks during aJoint Staff Tactical Wellness Event May 18, 2023, at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army National Guard Readiness Center. The one-day event educated members on resources and practices to improve health and wellness.

National Guard Excels in U.S. Army Small Arms Championship
May 2, 2023 — FORT BENNING, Ga. - Army and Air National Guardsmen from across the country dominated the 2023 U.S. Army “All Army” Small Arms Championships.The week-long competition in March brought together 260... MORE

Competitors take their shots on Day Five of the 2023 U.S. Army “All Army” Small Arms Championships at Fort Benning, Ga., April 12-18, 2023.. Army and Air National Guardsmen from across the country dominated the competition.

Maryland, Virginia Guardsmen Are Regional Best Warriors

Guard Bureau Chief Promotes Partnerships at Defense Services Asia Exhibition

Virginia Guard Takes Holistic Approach to Health, Readiness

West Virginia’s 167th Wing Conducts Readiness Exercise

New York Army Guard Hosts Regional Best Warrior Competition